The Wolf's Den

Path 3: Tilli, Chapter 7

        They didn't find where Heinrich went, not immediately. When they did, a door opened after Tilli knocked on what was to be her last door, finding two children, both children and both blonds. However, despite the fact they did not know her, they didn't shut the door on her. When she stepped in with Rapunzel and her children following behind her, On a table sat a note, and a pen, but to be polite, she gave a small, thankful smile.

        "He left you a note," the girl said.

        "It was his only way to get the message to you," the boy said, handing it to her and studying her companions behind her.

        "He's okay," Tilli finally said, a grin to Rapunzel and her children. "He's hiding, but he's okay. Thank goodness he's okay."

        "When will he return again?" Rapunzel said.

        "Soon, but he recommends we hide somewhere and he'll find us."

         "You could hide here," the girl said. "Hansel and I don't mind, we usually have no company, and Mr. Wolfe ignores us even if we have guests over. He'll know to come here, your friend—Heinrich? Was that his name?"

         "Yes, Heinrich is his name."

         "At least it's safe here," Rapunzel said, settling her children somewhere to keep them warm and together, allowing them to sleep with how exhausted the search had made them. Sitting on the floor beside them, she held an arm around both children and smiled a sheepish thanks to their new hosts, allowing herself to sleep as well.

         "Take a seat, we just started lunch and we'd be welcome to you joining us for lunch. I apologize for the smaller size in where to eat. It's how the room was for us. I'm Gretel, as it stands, your name?"

         "I'm Tilli. I've been looking for my older sisters, Adrieve and Ryland, and Miss Snow--- Er, Snow White. She got taken from me and I need to get my friend back from all she did for me."

          "Well, we can talk about that at another point. Your friend said he would return here because he knew you'd come looking for him and most people aren't answering their doors right now," Hansel said.

           "It's honestly rather nice to meet you, the both of you, and thank you, for allowing me to share dinner with you. I'd offer some to Rapunzel and her children, but I think they need to sleep the most."

           Sitting down with the children, she began to eat politely as they did, a smile to her hosts softly. And once the meal ended, she sighed in relief at what it felt like to eat a meal again since seeing Snow White last. When the knock came to the door, Gretel tensed while Hansel stood, demanding in silent gestures for her to hide, as Rapunzel was free to roam with her children all she liked. Hiding under the bed, she watched the door open to see Mr. Wolfe.

           "You've had a third person at your table?" Mr. Wolfe said.

            "Rapunzel stopped by again. She's resting." Hansel said.

             "Well, I suppose that's fine. She hasn't died yet, I see. Don't keep her too long, though. You know the rules."

              "Yes, Mr. Wolfe."

              "Very good. I'll take your dishes and be out of your way." After a pause, Mr. Wolfe frowned. "You haven't... Seen a girl named Tilli, by any chance have you? She has braids and dark eyes, a brunette, slightly short. It smells like she's been here, but she could have left just before I arrived."

               "We told her to leave us alone. Gretel decided that we didn't need that trouble."

                "Very good, Hansel."

                After he left, there was another knock, this time a knock of one and not three like Mr. Wolfe. Opening the door, Heinrich hopped through exhausted and out of breath. "I got... The key," he finally said once the door was shut, causing Tilli to leave the space under the bed and join the children once more. "Tilli, there you are! I became worried when you didn't appear in the place I last saw you."

                "No, we're okay, Rapunzel and the children took a nap."

                "We'd best wake them and be on our way. I've gotten the key from Mr. Wolfe's room, and if we hurry, we can free Rapunzel's prince before he makes his rounds. Soon as they're united, all four can leave the Wolf's Den and enter the city once more."

                 "What do you mean once more?"

                  "As in... Mr. Wolfe repeats stories if someone messes up, because misery is his favorite company. He turns the time back in these story glasses, they're like hour glasses but with purple, glowing sand inside them and go slower than hour glasses. It goes by story progression, and yours is advancing rapidly. I believe that's why he's after you, because you scare him. However, we have no time for that. We've got a story to end, one that should have been ages ago."

                  Nodding slightly, Tilli turned to Hansel and Gretel, a courtsy to them. "Thank you for taking care of us, and letting us stay here while Heinrich was away. If you ever need help, just tell us, alright? We'll assist you as a favor for this, that is if we're here then."

                  "We understand. Thank you for the offer," Gretel said.

                  "Now, if you'll get rid of that note from earlier, we'll be on our way. Thank you for taking care of my friends while I was away."

                   "God speed," Hansel said as a parting word, sending them on their way with a nod Gretel copied.

                    Despite how long it took to find the right hallway, after waking Rapunzel and her children, once the door unlocked, a man with ruined eyes stepped out. Despite her urge to cry, she spoke first, and hugged him close, to which their children joined in on the hug. After they'd gone, Tilli smiled to Heinrich and looked about with her flashlight. "So, left or right?"

                     "I'd say we go right," he said.

                     "Right it is," she said, walking into the unknown.